Can algorithms create “human-quality” short stories, sonnets and limericks? The competition is to determine whether people can distinguish between human and algorithmic creativity. The goal is not to replace human creativity, but to assess whether current computational technology can produce outputs that cannot be distinguished from it.

Literary Creative Turing Tests 2018

The deadline for entries is May 15th, 2018, by 11:59PM GMT.

PoetiX – For the third consecutive year, we will be running our machine-generated sonnet challenge PoetiX. Entries can work from a noun prompt or can generate work based on some other mechanism. Regardless, the machine will need to have the ability to produce effectively an infinite number of sonnets. The machine will need to generate either Shakespearean or Petrarchan sonnets. Outputs of the PoetiX entries will be mixed among human sonnets and judges will be asked to label the sonnets as generated by human or machine. Any machine that is indistinguishable from the human poetry will have “passed a Turing Test”.

First Prize: 1000$

LimeriX – This is a new challenge for the creation of machine-generated limericks. Entries can work from a noun prompt or can generate limericks based on some other mechanism. Regardless, the machine will need to have the ability to produce effectively an infinite number of limericks. Outputs of the LimeriX entries will be mixed among human limericks and judges will be asked to label the sonnets as generated by human or machine. Any machine that is indistinguishable from the human poetry will have “passed a Turing Test”.

First Prize: 1000$

LyriX – This is an “Open Format / Literary Metacreation” challenge. Entries can work from a noun prompt or can generate an original short poem based on some other mechanism. Regardless, the machine will need to have the ability to produce effectively an infinite number of poems. Entries cannot exceed 30 lines and cannot exceed 80 characters per line. Poems will be evaluated for their “artistry”. All entries to PoetiX and LimeriX will automatically be entered in Lyrix.

First Prize: 1000$

DigiKidLit – This new challenge is to generate a Children’s Story. Ages 5-8. Entries will take a noun phrase prompt or use some other mechanism to generate an original, short children’s story. Regardless, the machine will need to have the ability to produce effectively an infinite number of children’s stories. Paradigmatic example, “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0689300727. Stories will be evaluated for their “artistry”and creative approach.

First Prize: 1000$

All entries must be accompanied by a two-page description of the approach.

Complete details will soon be announced on the Turing Tests in the Creative Arts webpage. Interested parties should go there (http://bregman.dartmouth.edu/turingtests/) to register for the mailing list. Any questions can be directed to Dan Rockmore at Daniel.N.Rockmmore [at] dartmouth.edu